At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our catering team to prepare and serve delicious meals at our Fire and Rescue Headquarters.
- Company: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, committed to employee wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a focus on safety and cleanliness.
- Why this job: Make a difference by providing quality food services in a friendly environment.
- Qualifications: Level 2 education, Basic Food Hygiene Certificate, and customer service experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31022 - 33699 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 3pm (30 min lunch break)
Salary: £31,022-£33,699 (pro rata 35 hrs)
Location: Kelvedon Park
Closing Date: 11th August 2026
The Role
An incredible opportunity to join our on-site Catering team at our Fire and Rescue Headquarters. Our friendly and inclusive team are searching for a Chef to join the team to provide serving and cleaning duties in connection with catering arrangements.
What You Will Be Working On:
- Carrying out duties required to deliver a Catering and Hospitality service at our Service HQ
- Preparing and serving food to the canteen users and guests, handling money/till work
- Reviewing stock levels and associated reports
- Assisting with the preparation and ordering of food as required, assisting with booking hospitality
- Assist with the maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene standards
- To ensure that attitudes and behaviours displayed in the food preparation and service areas are reflective of an appropriate commercial catering facility
- Positively contribute to a safe working environment
What Are We Looking For?
- Our ideal candidate would have Level 2 standard of education (e.g. GCSE)
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (essential)
- Experience of working within the Catering industry (desirable)
- Ability to work flexibly
- Good communicator
- Experience in customer service
If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.
Our Culture and Benefits
Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.
Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners
If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.
For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team.
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service. You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults. The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying. This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Disability Confident
We are an equal opportunities, Disability Confident employer who welcomes applications from everyone and values diversity in our workplace. A commitment to promoting diversity and developing a work environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
As part of our offer to support all our candidates to perform to the best of their abilities during our recruitment and selection processes, we would like to let you know about a couple of support options you can access, should you wish to, including our employee forums, who are keen and willing to support all of our potential colleagues.
Our employee forums and partners include: Asian Fire Services Association (AFSA), BEING (our LGBTQ+ employee support network), Christian Fellowship, Ethnic Minority Forum, Men's Forum, and our Women's Forum. In addition, we also have a female firefighters operational group.
Further to the above, the Service has a Digital Accessibility Inclusion Group (DAIG) that supports all colleagues to improve their digital skills and provides additional support and guidance to colleagues with neurodivergent strengths and struggles as a result of dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, dyspraxia etc. We want everyone to thrive at work, and so we encourage and enable people to access digital tools to help them perform at their best.
The DAIG is a group of colleagues from across the Service that unite to support others as a result of their lived experience and desire to make a difference. They support people with a range of visible and invisible disabilities to identify and access digital workplace adjustments and solutions and may be able to assist with your application too.
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact us. You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process.
Chef employer: Networking Women in the Fire Service
Networking Women in the Fire Service is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing community safety and wellbeing across the UK. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible home-based work arrangements and opportunities for impactful collaboration within a supportive and inclusive culture. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying competitive benefits and a commitment to your professional development.
Contact Details:
Networking Women in the Fire Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Networking Women in the Fire Service. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Networking Women in the Fire Service
Don't be shy about reaching out to Networking Women in the Fire Service directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Networking Women in the Fire Service and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Networking Women in the Fire Service
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
